Copolymerization of acrylic esters with ethyl α-cyanocinnamate†

The copolymers of ethyl α-cyanocinnamate with methyl, ethyl, and butyl acrylate were prepared in toluene solution with benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymerization parameters were determined and the alfrey–Price Q and e values were calculated. The influence of the comonomer on some of the basic properties of the copolymers, like intrinsic viscosity, solubility, and glass transition temperature, was studied in comparison with the corresponding homopolyacrylates.